10+ Spinach Recipes to Brighten Up Your Meals

Spinach is such a versatile and nutritious green. You can toss it into all kinds of recipes, whether you’re after a quick side or a full-on main dish.

It cooks up simply, but you can also mix it with other ingredients for extra flavor. There’s something kind of refreshing about how easy it is to use.

If you want to eat more greens without spending ages in the kitchen, spinach recipes really deliver. It fits into so many dishes that you’ll probably find yourself reaching for it every day.

Ingredients:

• Fresh spinach
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Lemon juice
• Salt (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Add fresh spinach and stir to coat.
4. Cook until spinach wilts, about 3-5 minutes.
5. Toss with lemon juice and salt if you like.
6. Serve warm.

1) Easy Sautéed Spinach with Garlic and Olive Oil

Sautéing fresh spinach with garlic and olive oil makes a quick side dish. You can have it ready in about 10 minutes, and it goes with almost anything.

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Toss in minced garlic and let it get fragrant for a minute.

Add the spinach leaves and stir them around. They cook down fast—just wilted and still bright green is perfect.

The garlic and olive oil bring out the best in spinach. It’s a no-fuss way to get more greens.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 10 ounces fresh spinach leaves
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add the spinach and stir to combine.
4. Cook, stirring often, until spinach is wilted (about 3-5 minutes).
5. Season with salt and pepper, then serve.

Find more at Downshiftology’s garlic sautéed spinach.

2) Creamed Spinach with Butter and Shallots

Creamed spinach is a classic, comforting side. Melt butter in a skillet and cook shallots until they’re soft and golden.

Add the spinach and let it wilt down. Stir in cream, season with salt, pepper, and a dash of nutmeg if you’re feeling it.

You can swap in frozen spinach, but fresh gives a better texture. This dish pairs nicely with steak or chicken.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 shallots, thinly sliced
• 10 ounces fresh spinach (or frozen)
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• A pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add shallots and cook 5-7 minutes until soft and golden.
3. Add spinach and cook until wilted (about 3-4 minutes).
4. Stir in heavy cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
5. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the cream thickens slightly.
6. Serve warm.

Get the full scoop at creamed spinach recipe with butter and shallots.

3) Greek Lemon Spinach Rice

Greek Lemon Spinach Rice (Spanakorizo) is bright and simple. It brings together spinach, rice, lemon, and herbs.

Start by sautéing spinach with lemon juice and olive oil until it wilts. Cook rice in vegetable stock, then mix in herbs like dill or parsley.

This dish comes together in about 30 minutes. It’s best fresh, but you can reheat it gently.

Ingredients

• 1 cup long or medium grain rice
• 5 ounces fresh spinach
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill or parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add spinach and lemon juice, cook until wilted.
3. Add rice and vegetable stock.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 20 minutes.
5. Stir in lemon zest and herbs. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve warm.

Check out this Greek Spinach and Rice recipe for more.

4) Spinach and Cheese Quiche

Spinach and cheese quiche works for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. Mix fresh or frozen spinach with cheeses like Gruyère, feta, or Cheddar.

The filling turns out creamy and savory, and the flaky crust just makes it better. Use heavy cream or milk for a smooth texture.

It’s easy to put together and perfect for sharing. Somehow, quiche never really goes out of style.

Ingredients

• 1 9-inch pie crust
• 1 cup fresh or frozen spinach, chopped
• 1 cup shredded cheese (Gruyère, Cheddar, or feta)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream or milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place the pie crust in a pie dish.
3. Spread spinach evenly over the crust.
4. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the spinach.
5. In a bowl, whisk eggs, cream, salt, and pepper.
6. Pour the egg mixture over the spinach and cheese.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the center is set and the top is lightly golden.
8. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.

Try this cheesy spinach quiche if you want more details.

5) Baked Creamy Spinach Casserole

Baked creamy spinach casserole is as easy as it is delicious. You mix cooked spinach with a cheesy, rich sauce.

Garlic and onions add a little extra something. The casserole bakes until it’s bubbly and golden on top.

You can use fresh or frozen spinach—whatever’s on hand. Parmesan on top gives it that irresistible crust.

Ingredients

• 3 (10-ounce) packages frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped shallots or onions
• 2-3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream or milk
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and shallots, cook until soft.
4. Stir in spinach and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Pour in cream, add half the Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
6. Transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining Parmesan.
7. Bake for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden.

6) Spinach and Garlic Stir-Fry

Stir-frying spinach with garlic is a no-brainer for a quick meal. Heat oil in a pan or wok over high heat.

Toss in smashed garlic and let it get fragrant, but don’t let it burn. Add spinach and stir-fry for about two minutes—just until it wilts.

Cover the pan briefly if you want it to cook evenly. A splash of soy sauce at the end gives it a nice punch.

Season with salt and pepper. This works as a side or a light main.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh spinach
• 6-8 garlic cloves, smashed and chopped
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil (like vegetable or canola)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a wok or large pan over high heat.
2. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add spinach and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
4. Cover pan for 1-2 minutes to wilt the spinach.
5. Stir in soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
6. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

More details at spinach stir-fry recipe.

7) Spinach Omelet with Fresh Herbs

A spinach omelet with herbs is fresh and light. Mix in basil or parsley for extra flavor.

The eggs cook up soft, and the spinach adds a nice bite. Cheese like cheddar or feta melts right in.

Toss in some onions for a bit of crunch. Using a nonstick pan helps keep things fluffy.

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• ½ cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped
• Handful of sliced onions
• ¼ cup shredded cheddar or feta cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Beat the eggs in a bowl; add salt and pepper.
2. Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat.
3. Sauté onions until soft, then add spinach and herbs until wilted.
4. Pour eggs into the pan and cook gently until edges set.
5. Sprinkle cheese on top, fold the omelet, and cook 1-2 more minutes.
6. Serve warm.

8) Spinach and Mushroom Soup

Spinach and mushroom soup is just cozy. Earthy mushrooms and fresh spinach make a great combo.

Garlic and herbs add flavor without overpowering things. You can use whatever mushrooms you like, and fresh or frozen spinach both work.

Try blending part of the soup or adding white beans for creaminess. This soup’s perfect for a light lunch or an easy dinner that still feels a bit special.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cups fresh spinach (or 1 package frozen chopped spinach)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs (thyme or rosemary)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil or butter in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and mushrooms. Let the mushrooms soften—give it a few minutes.
3. Pour in the vegetable broth. Bring everything to a boil.
4. Add spinach and herbs. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve while it’s warm.

For a creamy touch, check out this mushroom spinach soup recipe.

9) Spinach Pesto Pasta

Spinach pesto pasta brings a fresh spin to a classic. You make the pesto by blending spinach, basil, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and Parmesan.

This mix gives the pasta a bright, almost zesty flavor. Honestly, it’s hard not to love it.

I usually grab short pasta like penne or shells for this. Toss the pasta with the pesto.

If you’re feeling it, throw in some tomatoes or other veggies. The whole thing comes together fast—perfect for lunch or a casual dinner.

Ingredients

• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 pound short pasta (penne, shells, or orecchiette)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: blistered tomatoes or roasted almonds

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to the package directions.
2. Toss spinach, basil, garlic, lemon juice, Parmesan, salt, and pepper into a blender.
3. Slowly pour in olive oil while you blend until it’s smooth.
4. Drain pasta and mix it with the pesto sauce.
5. Add tomatoes or almonds if you want. Serve warm.

For more detail, you can see the spinach pesto pasta recipe.

10) Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breast

Here’s a tasty way to put spinach and feta cheese front and center. You’ll stuff chicken breasts with a mix of spinach, garlic, and creamy feta.

The chicken turns golden and stays juicy as it bakes. The feta melts just enough to mingle with the spinach.

Serve it up with rice or maybe a fresh salad. It’s a simple dish, but honestly, it feels a little special.

Great for a quick weeknight dinner or when you’ve got friends coming over.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon instant minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 (16-ounce) bag fresh or frozen spinach
• 1 cup feta cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Sauté spinach and garlic in olive oil until the spinach wilts.
3. Stir the cooked spinach together with feta cheese.
4. Cut a pocket into each chicken breast.
5. Stuff each pocket with the spinach-feta mix.
6. Sprinkle on salt and pepper.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken’s cooked through.